To ensure door closers function safely and reliably, they require regular maintenance. Regular upkeep helps to prevent issues like doors slamming or closing too slowly or failing to latch – problems which can affect security, accessibility, and energy efficiency. 

One key finding of the Hackitt report following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 was the lack of maintenance and inspection of door closers. This included installation issues, failure to meet standards, and insufficient maintenance. 

Door closers — particularly those on fire doors — are recommended to be inspected at least every 6 months. And depending on the building use, some door closers need to be checked on a monthly or even weekly basis. Here’s a guide on what to look out for: 

Typical maintenance tasks include:

Cleaning: Removing dirt, dust, and debris from the closer to help the door closer’s long-term performance.

Lubrication: Quality door closers can have a long lifespan provided they are maintained properly. Some closers may need occasional lubrication of moving parts according to the manufacturer guidelines. The moving components of a door closer require regular maintenance to keep them in optimum working condition, and within warranty terms.

 Here’s a quick guide on how to maintain a door closer to achieve lasting performance:

Check for leaks: Hydraulic closers can leak oil, reducing performance and leading to potential hazards. A leaking door closer is not fit for purpose, and a replacement door closer should be fitted.

Inspect hardware fixings: Ensure all screws and brackets are tight and secure.

Adjust closing and latching speeds: Ensure the door closes smoothly and latches securely – on an adjustable door closer, remove the closer cover and slide cover, and adjust the closing and latching valves with a flathead screwdriver. To avoid causing difficulties for users and potential damage to the door or frame, ensure the door closes at a reasonable speed, with sufficient power to latch the door shut reliably. For power adjustable door closers, take care not to set more closing force than required, as it will make the door more difficult to open, impacting building accessibility.

Testing operation – opening: Check that the door opens freely over its entire opening angle without damaging seals or catching the floor (BS8214 section 9.5.3) and have the ability to overcome resistance to air pressures.

Testing operation – self closing: Door closing devices should be able to close the door leaf reliably from any angle to which it has been opened, overcome the resistance to a latch or any seals (see BS8214:2016 section 11.4) and have the ability to overcome resistance to air pressures.

If you’d like to discuss any door closer maintenance queries with our specialists, send your questions to: sales@rutlanduk.co.uk.